She overcame many obstacles and became a shining celebrity. Her spirit is unshakable, and her aura is very dazzling. There has always been a masculine predominance in cricket. Today’s female cricket players are gradually shattering that stereotype. But this custom was founded by one woman. She has always been an inspiration to Indian women because of her boundless brilliance in her area and her confidence outside. Anjum Chopra, an Indian cricketer, commentator, author, motivational speaker, and businesswoman, is the topic today. Read more details about Anjum Chopra – The Torch Bearer of Indian Women’s Cricket below.
Anjum Chopra – The Torch Bearer of Indian Women’s Cricket
Early Life
Anjum has always been a versatile athlete. She became into cricket at a very young age. She competed in swimming, athletics, and basketball for her school as well as the Delhi State basketball team, and represented both her college and her school. Anjum may have been more inclined to do this because of her upbringing. The majority of Anjum’s family has a history of being involved in sports. There is no question where her passion for athletics comes from! She began playing cricket at her school, competing at the state level.
Domestic Career
Anjum Chopra represented Air India in domestic matches when she started working there. The Delhi squad under her leadership won the 2012 National Championship. The women’s cricket team won their first national title under her direction. The 2002 and 2003 national and zonal competitions were likewise won by the Air India squad. The Air India squad won the 2003 award for “Best Team of the Year.”
International Career
At the age of 17, Anjum began his profession abroad. In 1995, she played her first game against New Zealand. She scored a century in 1999 while India was touring England. Anjum quickly rose to the top of the Indian batting order. She was a skilled medium-pace bowler as well. She was a great fielder as well, thanks to her agility on the field. So it makes sense that she quickly became a top Indian cricketer.
Anjum rose to the position of vice-captain for the Indian team by the year 2000. She had the highest Indian scoring total at the Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. She twice took home the prize for player of the game.
She was named captain of the Indian women’s team in 2002. The group had great success under her direction, winning several awards. Despite having seven debutants on the lineup, the visiting England side was royally sent home after a whitewash. In 2002, India triumphed in the test series played in South Africa. In 2005, she led the group to the World Cup finals. For four more years, she represented her nation in international cricket. In 2009, Chopra hung up her boots.
Anjum Chopra: The Torch Bearer of Indian Women’s Cricket
The Indian women’s cricket team gained a lot of notoriety and recognition because of Anjum. Her teammates valued her leadership abilities. She has been active in the field even after retiring from cricket. She continued to support numerous programs designed to advance women’s cricket.
Anjum will be recognized for his versatility as a batsman who could play any position. She was renowned for her lightning-fast ones and twos and finally significantly changed the match. Many have referred to her on-field posture as lethargic grace. She was, however, one of the team’s fittest members and a great field runner. She has frequently spoken up for her squad and excelled under pressure.
At the age of 17, Anjum made her international debut. She thereafter had a very successful cricketing career. She participated in 127 ODIs, 18 T20s, and 12 Tests. Anjum totaled 2,856 runs in ODIs and 548 runs in Tests.
Anjum Chopra entered a new and exciting era of her life when she wed an IAS officer stationed in Delhi.
Second Innings
Anjum’s career’s second half has been as thrilling. Anjum has made a name for herself as a corporate and motivational speaker thanks to her MBA. She has led training sessions for a variety of businesses, including Vodafone and Goldman Sachs, among others.
Family Background of Anjum Chopra
Anjum Chopra’s mother, Poonam Chopra, has competed in and won vehicle rallies, while her father, Krishnan Bal Chopra, plays golf. Even Ved Prakash Sahni, her maternal grandpa, competed for his nation in sports. Nirvana Chopra, Anjum’s brother, played cricket at the state level in the past. Rohit Sahni, her maternal uncle, was a college and high school cricket player. He served as the team captain for his college. Oh my goodness, what a sports family they are!
Under the direction of Tarak Sinha, she started her training at the Sonnet Club. He significantly influenced Anjum’s career. In various interviews, Anjum has recalled her coaches. The Hindu cited her as saying, “At the Sonnet Club, I learned to be disciplined, competitive, and anchored in behavior. On such occasions, I think about my cricket coach and all of my coaches.
Interesting Facts about Anjum Chopra
- Gates No. 3 and No. 4 at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi are named after Anjum Chopra.
- “Delhi has produced several illustrious cricketers and it’s a great honor to be considered (by DDCA) as one of them. Kotla has changed a lot over the years and it is a humbling honor to have my name at the entrance gates,” she was quoted by ICC in an interview after the unveiling ceremony.
- Anjum is a confessed pet lover. She loves to relax by playing with her pet dogs.
- Anjum is also a published author. She has co-authored the book, “Women’s Cricket World – A Journey from 1745 – 2013.” She has written about the history of cricket from a global perspective in the book.
- Anjum has been fearless on and off the field as well! She has participated in the reality show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 4.
- Her versatility has no limits. Anjum has acted in a docudrama, Poor Cousins of Million Dollar Babies, which won a lot of appreciation at the Arnold Sports Film Festival held in Ohio.
- Anjum has always tried to bridge the gap between men’s and women’s cricket. She has walked the ramp at several fashion shows to promote this cause.
- Her connection with sports is never going to waver. Anjum is currently enjoying a stint as a sports commentator and analyst. She has worked with Doordarshan and Sony Six. She was a commentator for the 2014 World Kabaddi League.
- Anjum is the first Indian woman cricketer to be awarded honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
- Anjum has advocated mixed game of cricket (both men and women playing together). She has practiced with the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders as well.
- Anjum has served in an advisory role with the South African cricket board before World Cup 2011. She also raised breast cancer awareness in South Africa as a Goodwill Ambassador.
- “It was an education for me to work away from home. It gave me a new perspective, too, and I enjoyed my experience of working with the South Africans.” She told The Hindu.
Awards & Achievements
- Padma Shri, 2014
- Arjuna Award, 2007
- Rajiv Gandhi Delhi State Award, 2004
- ICC Player of the Match, 2000, 2005, 2009
- Zee Astitva Award – Award for Exemplary Women, 2008
- FICCI – YFLO – Young Women Achievers Award, 2009
- Honorary Membership of Marylebone Cricket Club, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, 2016
- First Indian Women cricketer to hit an ODI century
- First Indian Women’s captain to have won a Test Series overseas
- 1st Indian Women’s captain to have won a home series (which was a 5–0 whitewash triumph over England in India in 2002)
- First cricketer to compete in over 100 WODIs for India
- First player to take part in 6 World Cups for India (four ODI World Cups and two T20s)
- Only player in modern-day cricket to have played 12 Test matches with ODI and T20s
- The first player to get an international appointment
- First female player and sportscaster to feature as a commentator in men’s cricket matches
